Bears notebook: Harrison, Graham get chance to shine

Monday

“We’re chopping wood every day, trying to work out the wrinkles,” Orton said.

Coach Lovie Smith has consistently praised his rookie crop of running back Matt Forte, receiver Earl Bennett and tight end Kellen Davis. But no one is getting too excited yet, not with six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz (Achilles) and rookie left tackle Chris Williams (back) yet to complete a full practice.

“Especially Olin. He’s the captain of our offense in general,” Orton said. “When we get everybody back and have a full unit, that’s when we will see what we really have.”

Smith said Kreutz and Williams were getting closer to returning.

“I had something similar in ’05,” Williams said, “but it was a one-day or two-day thing. I never missed a practice or a game.

“I am fairly mobile. I’m just trying to get that last little kink out of this.”

Rookie defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, a third-round pick, and second-year cornerback Corey Graham played well Monday as stand-ins for Adams and Tillman.

Graham had yet another interception.

“Corey has excellent size and good speed,” Smith said. “You see him get a couple of interceptions today. At the same time, you saw him get beat a couple of times. That’s the life of a cornerback.”

Smith called Harrison “an imposing figure” and said: “We need guys like that. You can never have too many defensive linemen, especially inside.”

Keeping their own

The Bears’ re-signing 10 of their own players to contract extensions this offseason has been greatly appreciated by the players.

“That’s a testament to our management,” safety Mike Brown said. “They saw something special in the core guys that we have.”

Camp sights

Rex Grossman and Orton each threw an interception, but Grossman’s looked like a good pass. Receiver Brandon Rideau slipped, giving Zack Bowman a chance to pick off the deep throw. Orton threw flat and short to tight end Greg Olsen on a deep pattern that Graham easily intercepted. … The Bears towed in a portable goal post with a golf cart in the last 10 minutes of practice. … The biggest crowd noise of the day was oohs when newly re-signed Devin Hester banged his left elbow against a tackler’s helmet on a running play. No harm was done.

Matt Trowbridge can be reached at (815) 987-1383 or mtrowbridge@rrstar.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.